The National Children's Literacy Website is a unique children's literacy initiative and is part of the Soho Center's National Children's Literacy Information Project - a not-for-profit
literacy initiative dedicated to advancing the literacy skills of young children, promoting literacy as an integral factor in the growth of society, and enhancing literacy in a variety of
home and child care settings. We believe that reading is a fundamental skill needed by all, and we are proud of what we are doing to help children learn to read.
NATIONAL CHILDREN'S LITERACY WEBSITE

Money-Saving Tips

C o n c e r n e d   A b o u t   C o s t  ?

Here are some strategies for keeping costs reasonable and getting more books for your family or for your child care program -


    Borrow books from your local library on a regular basis. And find out what services your local library provides such as children's story time, workshops, bookmobile, and/or books-by-mail.
    Teach children to handle books appropriately so books last for years and years (and so books can be responsibly borrowed from the library). When you do buy books, their initial cost will seem a whole lot less if you can use them for a long time rather than having to replace scribbled-in, beat up, or worn books.

    If you're a child care provider, start a tradition. Tell parents that you think that reading to children each day (and having lots of interesting books available for children) is important. Ask parents to bring in one book "each Monday" or "the first day of the month." Make good use of these extra books (for the day, for a week, or whatever you and parents decide).

    If you're a child care provider, start another tradition. Ask parents to donate books their children have "outgrown" to your program. Their children may no longer be reading certain simple books but children in your care now (or at some time in the future) will enjoy them.

    If you're a parent, start a family tradition. Ask friends and relatives to consider giving your children books as gifts for their birthdays and on holidays.

    The price of children's paperbacks is low compared to the retail cost of hard-cover versions of the same book. Buy paperbacks when you can.

    Buy children's books through the mail at discounted, sale prices. Some companies like Scholastic sell low-priced paperbacks, and Scholastic offers a discount for a sizable order; you may want to network and place a group order with parents and/or with other providers. Some companies like Daedalus Books and Edward Hamilton sell new "remaindered" hard-cover and paperback books at greatly reduced prices.

    Buy some children's books on sale at book fairs. Local schools may hold book fairs and there are commercial book fairs as well.  (One example - the Green Valley Book Fair in Virginia sells 500,000 new paperback and hard cover children's books at 60% - 90% off retail prices. They hold book fairs six times a year. Call them at 800-385-0099 for details.)

    Buy some children's books at library sales. Call the library in your county and libraries in surrounding counties to see if they hold annual library fund-raising sales of books. If so, you can support a good cause and pick up some real bargains.

    Buy some books at second-hand bookstores and local yard sales.


If you want to buy new books on-line, please consider doing so using our secure link to Amazon.  It won't cost you even an extra penny and it will give the Soho Center a small referral fee.
Please Click Here for more information.



 Back

Soho Center Copyright 2011